A mom writes in asking for advice about smoking while pregnant. She says that she has been trying to conceive for a couple of months. After taking a pregnancy test recently and getting a negative result, she smoked through several packs of cigarettes. She later found out she is, in fact, pregnant. Should she be worried about the smoking she did?
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A member of the community asks:
“I didn’t know I was pregnant and was smoking: Advice?
My partner and I were trying to conceive for a couple of months now. My last period was started on April 13th. On May 7th I took a pregnancy test and it came back negative. Seeing that, I decided to take a break from trying because I just thought it wasn’t going to happen for me. I started to pick back up on smoking cigarettes. Smoked about 3 packs then I stopped.
On Saturday the 16th, I took a pregnancy test because my period was 2 days late and I was having a super heightened sense of smell and it came back positive. I rushed to buy more at-home tests and then all came back positive.
I made an appointment with the doctor and they said I’m about 5 weeks along. I’ve been having mild backaches and cramping, very similar to how I feel during my period. Is this normal? Also, what are the chances that the cigarette smoking will cause harm to the fetus/baby?”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom-to-Be Who Is Worried That She Smoked Cigarettes Before She Knew She Was Pregnant
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“You’re good. Unfortunately, it happens to a lot of us smokers! Andddd some people smoke throughout their entire pregnancy and their babies are fine. I wouldn’t advise continuing to smoke, but just talk to your doctor.”
“I was a smoker. Found out I was pregnant and quit smoking. My little one is fine. Every pregnancy is different. Just quit now, start taking your prenatal vitamins and follow your doctor’s orders.”
“My mom smoked the whole time she was pregnant with me and even lit up at the hospital- granted that was a while ago, but I think I’m fine? lol!! Congrats on your baby!! So special and exciting!”
“Biggest risk is preterm baby or low birth weight baby. For my son, I quit and he was 8 lbs, born 6 days late. My daughter, I did not quit. She was 9.5lbs born on her due date. Most of our parents smoked and we are all still here. Although once I had my first I put a dead stop to smoking in the house! Breathing the smoke into their lungs is much more harmful.”
“It’s pretty early you’ll be fine if you quit now.”
“Try and stop now. The cramping you’re feeling is probably your uterus stretching in early pregnancy. I got quite sore to the point of seeing a doctor and that’s what they said it was.”
“It will be fine. I only found out I was pregnant when I was 3 months along with my second kid and she was not underweight or anything…
… (The whole business had stomach flu that kept recycling so the morning sickness didn’t register as morning sickness when I eventually went to the doctor after the morning sickness would not go away. I fount out about I had a new baby on the way.)”
“I was smoking and drinking (holiday drinking too). I had no idea I was pregnant till I was like 11 weeks, but as soon as I knew I stopped. My little girl was born 9 days late and weighing 9lb 8oz.”
“Unfortunately, I was not able to quit smoking with any of my pregnancies and I still have 3 beautiful healthy kids. It’s best if you can stop smoking.”
“I wouldn’t worry bout the smoking. Baby will be fine I’d be more worried bout the backache and cramping if you get worse with it please call early pregnancy unit at your hospital.”
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